Bryce Harper has single, SB with Harrisburg and Bowie 1-1 midway

Bryce Harper has single, SB with Harrisburg and Bowie 1-1 midway
BOWIE, Md. - Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper has gone 1-for-2 with a single and a stolen base in a pair of plate appearances Wednesday afternoon at Prince George's Stadium. Harper's base hit was the first off of Former University of Virginia left-hander Mike Ballard of the Bowie Baysox. He stole base in that inning but Ballard got out of it with a strikeout in the second inning. Harper faced Ballard again in the fourth and worked a 3-0 count and thought an outside pitch was ball four...

Harrisburg's lineup against Bowie

Harrisburg's lineup against Bowie
BOWIE, Md. - Double-A Harrisburg's lineup against the Bowie Baysox at Prince George's Stadium in series finale. Each team has won a game in the three-game set. Josh Johnson 2B Leonard Davis RF Chris Rahl CF Tyler Moore DH Bryce Harper LF Tim Pahuta 1B Devin Ivany C Stephen King 3B Chris McConnell SS LHP Oliver Perez (2-2, 3.75) vs. Bowie's LHP Mike Ballard (6-0, 290)

Rachel Levitin: What's in a name? For Metro, a challenge

Rachel Levitin: What's in a name? For Metro, a challenge
While most people in D.C. find themselves in a verbal squabbling match with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) on a daily basis - even if the conversation is more of a soliloquy-type scenario rather than a dialogue - I, too, have an issue with the system. It has nothing to do with its inability to run an efficient system but rather its inability to get the name of the Nationals' ballpark correct upon arrival. Here's my pet peeve: None of the train conductors seem to...

Marlins send Nationals into last place with 11-2 setback

Marlins send Nationals into last place with 11-2 setback
The Florida Marlins continued their dominance over the Washington Nationals with an 11-2 victory Tuesday in the series opener before 24,650 at Nationals Park. The loss sent the Nationals into last place in the National League East for the first time since June 15. The Marlins' Omar Infante triple and run in the first, and Logan Morrison's two-run blast off of Nationals' starter Jordan Zimmermann in the third, set the tone early as the Fish bolted out to a 4-0 lead. In the fifth, Greg Dobbs...

Nationals acquire Jonny Gomes from Cincinnati for minor leaguers

Nationals acquire Jonny Gomes from Cincinnati for minor leaguers
The Washington Nationals today acquired outfielder Jonny Gomes and cash considerations from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for outfielder Bill Rhinehart and left-handed pitcher Chris Manno. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Gomes is a career .244 hitter (554-for-2274) with 109 doubles, 115 home runs and 352 RBI in 738 career games spanning portions of nine big league seasons spent with Cincinnati (2009-11) and Tampa...

Bryce Harper's two doubles bookend big inning as Harrisburg wins 13-2

Bryce Harper's two doubles bookend big inning as Harrisburg wins 13-2
BOWIE, Md. - Nationals' top prospect Bryce Harper delivered a pair of doubles to bookend the biggest inning of the season for the Senators, an eight-run outburst in the fifth inning, as Double-A Harrisburg cruised past the Bowie Baysox 13-2 before 6,375 Monday night in Bowie. Harper, playing his closest professional game to date to his future home at Nationals Park, smacked two doubles off of Orioles' hurler Zach Britton in the worst loss of the season for Bowie. The Baysox's previous...

Slight adjustment in approach lifts Bryce Harper out of slump

Slight adjustment in approach lifts Bryce Harper out of slump
BOWIE, Md. -- With two doubles off of a pitcher who made 18 starts with the Baltimore Orioles, and three doubles in a seven at-bat span, the Nationals' No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper continues to hit the ball hard, and now is getting some of the positive results he saw during the first two months at Single-A Hagerstown. Harrisburg Senators hitting coach Troy Gingrich said they have worked with Harper on his approach, but he was still making good contact, even during the rough patch around the...

Peacock serves notice with bounceback win in second Triple-A start

Peacock serves notice with bounceback win in second Triple-A start
Syracuse Chiefs right-hander Brad Peacock could really feel the difference in his pitching from his Triple-A debut to his second start Friday. In his first chance at Triple-A, he allowed seven runs, including a three-run homer. But July 22, he came in with his fastball hitting the spots and rolled to a five-inning victory in which he allowed only one run. "I needed that one," Peacock said. "I made some stupid pitches in that first game. Their catcher got me at 2-0. I laid one in there...

Bryce Harper: "quicker game, quicker guys" at Double-A level

Bryce Harper: "quicker game, quicker guys" at Double-A level
BOWIE, Md. - The Nationals' No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper spoke with reporters before the opening game of the Harrisburg Senators' series against Bowie on Monday and talked about fighting through his recent struggles at the plate. Recently, Harper fought through a 1-for-25 streak to collect five hits in his last 18 at-bats. He said before the game that he can definitely see the difference in talent between low Single-A and Double-A pitchers. "A lot better pitching," Harper said. "Guys...

Bryce Harper's two doubles highlight eight-run fifth inning for Harrisburg

Bryce Harper's two doubles highlight eight-run fifth inning for Harrisburg
BOWIE, Md. - The Nationals No. 1 prospect Bryce Harper crushed two doubles off of Bowie's Zach Britton, and bases-clearing extra base hits from Stephen King and Bill Rhinehart, lifted the Harrisburg Senators to an 8-1 advantage midway through Monday's game at Prince George's Stadium. With Britton seemingly cruising and up 1-0, Harper led off the fifth inning with a double off the left center field wall. Three batters later, King delivered a three-run triple and the Senators led 3-1. Later...

Tarp is off the field, Harrisburg at Bowie on schedule (updated)

Tarp is off the field, Harrisburg at Bowie on schedule (updated)
BOWIE, Md. - Standing by for game one of the three game set at Prince George's Stadium, with the Double-A Harrisburg Senators preparing to take on the Bowie Baysox. Left-hander Zach Britton, looking to return to the Orioles, goes for the Baysox against the Senators' right-hander Tanner Roark (4-7, 6.29), who is looking to snap a five-game losing skid It was absolutely pouring from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. The tarp has been on the field and batting practice is cancelled. Currently (4:30...

Dave Nichols: Nats both buyers and sellers at trade deadline

Dave Nichols: Nats both buyers and sellers at trade deadline
The non-waiver trade deadline is July 31, a mere six days away. As with every year since their inaugural season in D.C., the Washington Nationals - despite the protestations of Jayson Werth - are destined to be on the outside looking in once the playoff seeds are settled, especially considering the recently concluded 3-6 road trip. But contrary to years past, the organization - and Nats fans - can see brighter days ahead. The Nats have a lot of pieces in place already, and with a few key moves,...

Not every key move at the trading deadline is a big deal

Not every key move at the trading deadline is a big deal
Trade speculation will fly furiously as Sunday's non-waiver trade deadline approaches. But if history is an indication, there will be plenty of trades made, as well. Last season, from July 25-31, there were 25 trades made, and the most significant were trades that didn't make headlines. The two best acquisitions were by the San Francisco Giants, who got lefty reliever Javier Lopez from the Pittsburgh Pirates and Ramon Ramirez from the Boston Red Sox. The two were key to the Giants' World...

Rehab completed, Wang to start Friday for Nationals

Rehab completed, Wang to start Friday for Nationals
In what was his last rehab start, right-hander Chien Ming-Wang struggled Sunday in his first loss in six minor league rehab assignments. Wang allowed five runs on eight hits in five innings, the big hit a three-run home run by Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's Gustavo Molina. The Nationals reported Wang will start Friday night against the New York Mets. He otherwise dominated with a 2-1 record and a 3.14 ERA in six games with 17 strikeouts and four walks. Harrisburg left-hander Evan Bronson...

Plenty of offers on upcoming homestand

Plenty of offers on upcoming homestand
If it seems like it's been forever since the Nationals have played a home game, well, it has. The Nationals haven't been home since July 10, a span that will reach 25 days when the Marlins come to town Tuesday. In between the homestands, however, there's been plenty of action. Tyler Clippard picked up the win at the All-Star Game before a nine-game road trip has seen the Nationals slip back under .500 at 49-51. Needless to say, it's the perfect time to get back to our nation's capital...

Lefty Bronson will go tonight for Harrisburg following rain out

Lefty Bronson will go tonight for Harrisburg following rain out
The Washington Nationals have announced that left-hander Evan Bronson has been called up to make his Double-A debut for Harrisburg in tonight's Game Two of a doubleheader at Richmond. The game will be the back end of a pair of seven-inning affairs. Saturday night's Game Two was rained out so Shairon Martis will pitch tonight's first contest, followed by Bronson's debut. Bronson has worked between a starting role and the bullpen all season for Single-A Potomac. He has seven starts this...

Hand injury slows Gilbert's fantastic season with Senators

Hand injury slows Gilbert's fantastic season with Senators
Archie Gilbert has landed on the disabled list with a sore right hand, pausing momentarily what has been a very consistent season at the plate for the talented Double-A Harrisburg Senators outfielder. Infielder Sean Nicol has been promoted from Single-A Hagerstown to Harrisburg and veteran pitcher Matt Chico has been released. Gilbert has been in the Red Sox, White Sox and Athletics organizations in recent campaigns. He signed as free agent with the Nationals after playing for Double-A...

Jenn Jenson: Jordan Zimmermann is one of my very favorites

Jenn Jenson: Jordan Zimmermann is one of my very favorites
Jordan Zimmermann is awesome! I realize this isn't breaking news, but he's so awesome that he's earned the distinction of being a very favorite player of mine. So you'll understand where I'm coming from, I should explain that most Nationals players are my favorite players. I cheer with enthusiasm for pretty much everyone on the roster, somewhat regardless of talent level, as long as they give at least 100 percent. Yes, I get frustrated with guys. I may even boo a bad play or groan when...

Aggression on the hill biggest difference for Smoker this season

Aggression on the hill biggest difference for Smoker this season
Left-handed reliever Josh Smoker continues on a tear with the Single-A Potomac Nationals, keeping opponents off the base paths and not allowing runs. His ERA continues to dive with each successive scoreless inning, now reading 1.75 ERA. His velocity has even hit an astounding 97 mph. The Calhoun, Ga., native has allowed only one run in his past 10 appearances. But with any good relief pitcher, you also have to find your way out of jams that you are placed in and ones that you bring on...

Early aggression: Werth connects with three extra base hits in Houston finale

Early aggression: Werth connects with three extra base hits in Houston finale
Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth had his best offensive game in almost a month in Wednesday's finale against the Houston Astros. Werth went 3-for-5 with two doubles and the Nats' only offense, a two-run homer, that erased an early deficit and got the team eventually to extra innings, before Houston won it, 3-2 in 11. Manager Davey Johnson said he believes Werth's aggressiveness has helped him start to get out of his recent struggles and it paid dividends in the rubber match at...